Southampton Boat Show

My first day back at work on the marine side of things was press day on Friday at Southampton. Lovely ride down and back on the super lightweight G650. What a great motorcycle this is. I just sat her at around 75mph on the motorway and she simply purred along. Brilliant, and she still did 72mpg. I came home with a huge grin on my face and wishing I could take the time to do just B roads, instead of beetling up the motorway, but I had to be back to hand over the paperwork and keys to the 1150 Adventure.

Over the weekend I ordered a set of Barkbuster handguards so I shall be ready for the winter. Part of the proceeds of the sale of the 1150 already spent.

When you have fitted the handguards, get some 1000 denier cordura off the internet and make some (thin and easily packable) hand covers that fit over the guards/grips like the commercially available ones. The difference this makes in the winter is enormous. I ride in summer gloves year round almost without using my heated grips. Protects from the rain too !

mikecbrxx said:

When you have fitted the handguards, get some 1000 denier cordura off the internet and make some (thin and easily packable) hand covers that fit over the guards/grips like the commercially available ones. The difference this makes in the winter is enormous. I ride in summer gloves year round almost without using my heated grips. Protects from the rain too !

Click to expand...

Ooh, oooh, ooh....have you any pictures of yours please? To help me out on how you have organised them?

I have some muffs from Urbano, I use in the winter on the 1150 (I hung onto them!) I have seen the Barkbuster muffs that go on their frames, but if there is a cheap DIY solution I am all up for that, now my earning days are almost over!

I'll take some photos at the weekend. Hows your sewing skills

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

mikecbrxx said:

I'll take some photos at the weekend. Hows your sewing skills

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

Non existent, but I will learn...and I do have a rivet gun!

Ok. Took some images of what i did and how they fit. Not very tidy but they do work well and they pack really small.

I got some 1000denier corduro off the web, some industrial velcro and, after a very windy Iceland trip, added some large studs to ensure they stay attached.

First thing is to make a teardrop shape that goes over the front of the plastic of the Barkbusters. Don't forget to oversize it to allow for sewing. Oh... use proper thread and not normal cotton for putting everything together.

Then cut an oblong of the cordura that fits round the teardrop. Sew into place inside out to start with. Akso a good idea to 'hem' the open side to make it more robust before sewing round the teardrop. I actually did it so i could add some plastic through the hem to keep the opening open. However, after experience, this really isnt necessary and also affects how they pack.

Once done, cut a slit with small hole so they fit round the mirror stem. Add velcro to close both the mirror slit and to keep them on the bars. I hope this and the photos are enough info to reproduce them.

The reason i added studs later was that in high wind, even the velcro can come undone and that was a real pain to try and keep hold of them and ride.

Any questions, just ask.

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

BTW, the last images are of BOTH hand protectors rolled up.

PROPER JOB!!! Thank you.

I think I can make something to fit.

Great Job, Thanks for taking the time to post